I looked over at her, and my heart nearly burst. I wanted to remember the pure joy on her face and the sparkle in her eye. If only I could get a picture of it, but a picture could never fully capture the moment.

Earlier that day, Hannah and I had scurried about making preparations for our evening. We stopped by a cupcake shop and picked out four cupcakes. Of course, Hannah insisted that she and Nora each needed a pink cupcake. That night we ordered pizza and ate it in the living room while watching a Christmas show. That’s the ultimate for my girls – a picnic in the living room. Then I had the girls and Matt wait in the living room while I lit four candles, placed one in each cupcake, and turned out the lights.

The girls walked into the kitchen and saw the flickering light in the darkness. They were little flames, but their hearts were delighted.

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness on them a light shone.” Isaiah 9:2

This Christmas season, the theme of darkness to light kept rolling around in my thoughts. I’m not entirely sure why. Our pastor spoke about it some, but it’s not a new concept to me. Still, this year I can see it.

I can see a people lost in deep darkness. But, into the darkness the light came. The light came as a little baby, helpless and dependent on his mother. Yet, the light was never just the flicker of a candle, despite its small form. When the light burst onto the scene of humanity, angels announced in glorious light that the Savior had come and the Father flung a star brighter than any other star into the sky.

“In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. … The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.” John 1:4-5, 9

We all want light. You can’t watch the news without seeing that. All of creation groans for light, not darkness. Here’s the good news: The light has come. Let that sink in. The light has come. The fullness of the light hasn’t come, but it will. And on the day that it comes, the darkness will be dispelled once and for all. It’s going to be pretty spectacular.

“And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.” Revelation 22:5